Equip, in partnership with the Malaysia Bible Seminary (MBS), provides opportunities for students to study modules on the Bible, theology and church history through the Equip-MBS Bachelor of Ministry.

About the Course

If you feel called into ministry as a pastor, gospel worker or local church leader, then the Bachelor of Ministry is a helpful pursuit. This degree provides the theological framework and spiritual formation you will need in order to equip you in your future service in your local church or para-church organization. You will learn the foundations of the Bible and how to interpret the text accurately, discover the richness of Church history and how it still shapes our practice today, and gain an understanding of how to lead or operate a ministry.

Training for Ordination

Our diploma and degree courses prepares you for ordination in your denomination. Our flexible course pathway allows you to continue to remain in ministry at your local church while you grow in your theological capabilities. Our degree courses also requires a short internship with a church or para-church organization to help further strengthening your experience and applying your theological knowledge to work. These courses are aimed in preparing you for life-long ministry, so you will be solidly grounded in God’s Word in which ever context God will put you in. We aim to help you serve while you train theologically.

Course Structure

To fulfil the requirements of the Bachelor of Ministry you need to complete 90 credit points which is the equivalent of three year full time study. However, the course can be taken part-time.

This degree is awarded by MBS (not the ATA). To be awarded the Bachelor of Ministry, a student must fulfill all the requirements of the Master of Christian Studies (except the requirement of a previous degree), as well as an additional 30 credit points as follows. Unless otherwise noted, any combination of subjects is allowed to make up the credit points in each section as found below.

Subject

Credit Points

Biblical Studies

6 points

Biblical Theology 4 or OT/NT Theology

3 points each

Any of NT201-229 or OT204-227 not previously counted

Any other Biblical Studies subjects in DP or GPS

3 points each

3 points each

Theology, Church History and Society

3-9 points

Issues in Theology

3 points

Reformation Church History (DP Course CH206)

3 points

Malaysian Religion IIA

Any other Theology or Church History subject in DP or GPS

3 points

3 points each

Applied Theology

12-21 points

Guided Spiritual Formation (Spiritual Direction) (DP PC249A)

3 points

Selection of DP Subjects in the Area (EM, PC, DM). See Appendix 3

3 points each

Selection of general pool subjects in the area (Counselling, Preaching, MBS, STM). See Appendix 2

1-3 points each

Internship*

0 points

Languages

0- 9 points

DP Greek LA004A or MBS equivalent

3 units

DP Greek LA004B or MBS equivalent

3 units

DP Intermediate Greek LA010 or MBS equivalent

3 units

DP Hebrew LA003A or MBS equivalent

3 units

DP Hebrew LA003B or MBS equivalent

3 units

DP Intermediate Hebrew LA011 or MBS equivalent

3 units

DP OT209 Hebrew Exegesis or MBS Equivalent

3 units

Any subjects completed under other awards may be counted towards this award provided they meet the above criteria.

* Internship refers to either a 6-week full-time or 8-months part time (weekends only) placement in a church approved by Equip and MBS, where they are trained and involved in ministry. Internships are compulsory, but do not attract any credit.

Note: Any subjects completed under the Equip-MBS Certificate of Theology or Diploma in Theology may be counted towards the Master of Christian Studies. Certificate subjects can only be counted if they are passed with at least a Credit.

Note: DPS and GPS must include at least 6 points in applied theology including 3 points in Christian education. They must also include 3 points in Hermeneutics. DP and GP subjects cannot be duplicates of each other.

To receive the Bachelor of Ministry, it is also required to complete the same course requirement of the Master of Christian Studies of 60 credit points as follow:

60 points

Division of points:

Min

Max

Certificate pool subjects

Must include Bible Overview, Biblical Theology 2 (Promise to Fulfilment).

Internship

Apart from the above requirements it is a necessary to complete an internship with a duration of either 6 weeks full-time or 8 months part time (weekends only) in a church/ministry approved by MBS and Equip, where they are trained and involved in ministry. Internships are compulsory, but do not attract any credit.

Credit From Previous Studies

Any subjects completed under the Equip-MBS Certificate of Theology or Equip-MBS Diploma of Theology may be counted towards the Equip-MBS Masters of Christian Studies provided that the student obtained at least a Credit (Certificate Pool) or pass (degree or general pool) for their final mark.

Application

Before being accepted into their course, students will be required to complete a detailed registration form and attend an interview with Equip. They may be required to attend another interview with MBS if so desired by MBS.